Alice Boulangerie and Restaurant: An acorn-wood themed bakery and restaurant in Raffles City Mall, Singapore 🐿️

If you’re the sort who never scoots behind buildings or wanders off beaten tracks (even in places you think you know well), you’d probably miss this unique little place, Alice Boulangerie and Restaurant 😛

I know, it looks huge here, but it’s actually tucked away where The Providore Singapore used to be... just behind the usual bustle of the mall.

Dressed like a magical acorn “tree-house” in the autumn woods (with a squirrel as its mascot, no less 🐿️), I was instantly intrigued. I had to go in and peek around!

For one, you just don’t see spaces like this in Singapore anymore. It’s playful, it’s beautiful. The exterior is all warm wood, complete with an outdoor seating area and a photogenic bench exploding with autumnal foliage.

Can't resist taking a pic here!

At first glance, you might mistake it for a wedding venue (and honestly, it could double as one). Then you realise it’s a cosy little bakery & restaurant nestled right in the middle of Singapore’s busiest district! A quiet little acorn house, tucked safely away from the perils of the working world (hehe).

Alice Boulangerie comes paired with finecrumbs (their aptly named bakery) on one side and a restaurant right next to it. We’re smitten by the woodsy, fairytale concept, which spills indoors too, crowned by a canopy of golden leaves twinkling above the dining area.

Like their squirrel mascot, we weren’t in the mood for a full feast... just a few curious nibbles 🐿️. So we went with three small plates to see where that would take us.

First up: the Hokkaido Scallop Crudo ($24). It's citrusy, refreshing and I love the crunchy bits that's a lovely contrast with the juicy scallops :B It comes with slivers of green mango, all dressed in laksa leaf oil and ponzu. It's everything you would imagine it would taste: not sour-slapping or overpowering. It's summer on a plate ;)

Citrusy, juicy, with a yummy ponzu and laksa leaf oil base

Next: Crispy River Shrimps ($13).

Here’s where my silliness began, 'coz I thought I was ordering river prawns. So I asked the waitress, “How many will there be? Two?”

She blinked and, with a cheeky grin, replied, “They’re tiny, so there’ll definitely be more than two.” I looked so silly with realisation dawning upon me: shrimps, not prawns. (Note to self: read the menu properly next time.)

These little fried Japanese shrimps came with fried jalapeños on the side. We loved it! Crispy with a satisfying bite, no fishiness at all, and the jalapeños added just the right zesty, spicy kick (it's not very spicy, so don't worry). I went ahead to dip it in the ponzu, which went very well together.

Tiny fried Japanese river shrimps with jalapenos! :) Unique!

Finally: the Baked Camembert (vegan), $23. It's served with forest mushrooms, truffle oil and slices of sourdough bread that's crisp and pillowy at the same time. Yes, quite unapologetically indulgent. No wonder they're known for their bakes and breads. We dunked some of the river shrimps + jalapeños + bread mercilessly into the molten camembert. It was messy and magical!

I’d come back here again in a heartbeat. We didn’t venture into the bakes at Finecrumbs this time, but safe to say… they look just as fantastic (and as whimsical) as you’d imagine.

Alice may be hidden in plain sight, but that’s exactly what makes it special... a tiny fairytale nook tucked into the middle of the city, waiting for curious wanderers to stumble in. 🐿️

Location: Alice Boulangerie, 252 North Bridge Rd, #01-22A Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103